2007 Chevrolet Matiz — MOT failures & pass rate
16,586 MOT tests on the 2007 Chevrolet Matiz are in this dataset, and 68.8% of them passed. That is 3.3 percentage points worse than city cars of a similar age, which fail at 27.9%. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, suspension and brakes.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — lighting & signalling (16.5%) and suspension (15.3%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are headlamp, headlamp aim and ball joint — headlamp alone was recorded 1,208 times.
Mileage is the strongest signal on the record: 20.9% of 0-30k cars fail, rising to 37.9% once past 120-150k.
Suspension is the most common advisory, noted on 35.8% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
The trend is worsening — 30.2% of tests failed in 2021 against 32.0% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 16.5% | 2,743 |
| 2 | Suspension | 15.3% | 2,529 |
| 3 | Brakes | 13.1% | 2,177 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 8.1% | 1,349 |
| 5 | Tyres | 7.1% | 1,182 |
| 6 | Visibility | 7.1% | 1,175 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Headlamp | 1,208 |
| 2 | Headlamp aim | 1,094 |
| 3 | Ball joint | 1,003 |
| 4 | Component mounting prescribed areas | 981 |
| 5 | Position lamp | 958 |
| 6 | Rigid brake pipes | 951 |
Top advisory categories
Advisories aren't failures, but they flag work likely needed soon — useful when budgeting.
| # | Category | % of tests with advisory | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Suspension | 35.8% | 5,932 |
| 2 | Brakes | 34.4% | 5,704 |
| 3 | Tyres | 29.2% | 4,847 |
| 4 | Lighting & signalling | 16.2% | 2,679 |
| 5 | Body, structure & corrosion | 14.2% | 2,354 |
| 6 | Other defects | 11.0% | 1,828 |
Failure rate by mileage
Higher-mileage cars tend to fail more — often the most useful guide to real condition.
| Mileage band | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 0-30k | 1,849 | 20.9% |
| 30-60k | 7,767 | 29.6% |
| 60-90k | 5,503 | 35.3% |
| 90-120k | 1,237 | 36.5% |
| 120-150k | 169 | 37.9% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 4,552 | 30.2% |
| 2022 | 3,898 | 30.4% |
| 2023 | 3,311 | 31.6% |
| 2024 | 2,721 | 32.9% |
| 2025 | 2,104 | 32.0% |
What to check before buying a 2007 Matiz
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: lighting & signalling accounted for 16.5% of tests. Start there.
- Lighting & signalling (16.5% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (15.3% of tests): Worn drop links, bushes, springs or shocks — listen for knocks over bumps and check for uneven tyre wear. Typical repair: £150–£450 per corner.
- Brakes (13.1% of tests): Pads/discs are routine wear; binding, imbalance or corroded pipes are more serious — test for pulling under braking. Typical repair: £100–£350 per axle.
Repair costs are rough UK ballpark ranges to set expectations, not quotes — actual prices vary widely by car, parts and garage.
Frequently asked questions
How many 2007 Chevrolet Matizs pass their MOT?
68.8% of the 16,586 2007 Chevrolet Matiz MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 31.2% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2007 Chevrolet Matiz?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 16.5% of tests, followed by suspension (15.3%).
Does the 2007 Matiz get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 20.9% in the 0-30k band to 37.9% in the 120-150k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 16,586 MOT tests. Dataset: DVSA MOT testing data (2021,2022,2023,2024,2025). Data last updated 2026-07-27. Figures reflect MOT-testable defects only — read the methodology for how these are calculated and what they don't measure.